Historic public woodland across Sussex has been earmarked for sale to private developers under controversial reforms unveiled by the government.

Ministers want to off-load land that is currently run by the Forestry Commission and have come up with a range of options that will put it into the hands of private companies, charities or community groups.

The government already has the power to sell of 15% of the estate and is committed to doing that over the next four years.

Documents released yesterday revealed areas classed as small commercial woodland, such as Abbot's Wood and Friston Forest near Seaford, are the most likely plots to be put on the market.

But if they are not privatised in the first wave, they will come under a second set of plans for the forest estate that will mean the community is given first refusal on taking over control of the land.

Failing that, private firms will have the chance to take them over on 150 year leases.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said: "A lot of people's fears will prove to be unfounded."